Although Cowboy Bebop has been on the air for over 25 years, one of the most enduring elements of the anime is Yoko Sugano’s score. Its focus on jazz while incorporating other genres including blues, bossa nova, rock, and Japanese pop fit perfectly with the content of the anime, making the overall package a memorable one.
Even within the powerful soundtrack, some sequences are more powerful than others. An obvious example is the opening theme “Tank”. But you could say the same about “Blue,” which shines through Mai Yamane’s soulful delivery and elevates the final scene with Spike and his finger-gun gesture into one of the most iconic anime moments of all time.
Now, the song has been given a new lease of life, and even though it’s a Honda jingle, it captures the feeling of liberation through movement as its primary theme. The same goes for this song: vocalist Mai Yamane is replaced by singer Maya, who debuted on TikTok (don’t confuse him with Maaya Sakamoto!). Maya’s rendition is less melancholic but still powerful, retaining a yearning for freedom.
If you want to listen to the full version, you can watch it on Yoko Kanno’s official YouTube channel:
Yoko Kanno said this about the entire plan:
“Even after 25 years, the desire for freedom has never left us. As Maya’s voice becomes new wings, the song continues to fly higher, deeper, and into the blue. Imagery by Mr. Daichi Yasuda [the Honda commercial director] Discovery is an invitation to an eternal journey. “
Maya relished the opportunity to work with Yoko Kanno, saying:
“I am extremely honored and excited to announce the release of a song featuring my voice. In a world where it can sometimes be hard to feel ‘free’, I sing from my heart in hopes of bringing freedom to as many people as possible. Recording with Ms. Yoko Kanno was a learning experience for me and a very inspiring one. As a young artist just starting out, it was an experience that I cherished every moment with a woman I admire so much.